Indigenous Solidarity

Six Degrees and Friends of the Earth Brisbane recognise and pay respect to the Aboriginal nations and traditional care-takers of the land.

We acknowledge the land was and always will be an integral part of the spiritual and cultural histories of Aboriginal peoples. We recognise that sovereignty was never ceded.

We aim to work alongside traditional owners and Indigenous peoples in south-east Queensland, including the Turrbal, Jagera, Wakka Wakka, Jarowa, Djakunda, Gooreng Gooreng, Cobble Cobble, Gambuwal and Githabul peoples. We believe that their knowledge and experiences are integral to phasing out the coal industry and avoiding catastrophic climate change. Our approach to working with Indigenous Australians is to follow protocol, listen, learn and build strong relationships. We welcome feedback and advice on how we can better do this.

We recognise that indigenous struggles for sovereignty, human rights, economic justice and spiritual and cultural practice are also our struggles. Indigenous dispossession, European invasion and extractive industries in Queensland have interwoven histories. Industrialisation continues apace in Queensland with expansion of the coal industry at its heart, while land rights for Indigenous people are still being fought for.

We do not seek to simplify the complex social situations of Indigenous peoples in communities at present reliant upon the coal industry. We understand that in many communities where coal plays a dominant role in the local economy, people of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander heritage also find themselves dependent upon the industry for employment.